I was just wondering...I got cruise insurance, but I don't have all the "fine" details on it just yet. Does good insurance normally cover any charges if you have to go to the medical people (I don't know whatyou call it on a ship) for something fairly simple like a sinus infection. What about things like anti-biotics? Does the ship carry that stuff? I get a lot of them in the winter, but I actually think I'll probably feel better than normal because sea air does wonders for me !

Dave

07-19-2006 11:14 AM

From what I know, cruise insurance doesn't cover those sorts of things. It isn't like a short term Blue Cross policy. The medical coverage is primarily aimed at emergencies and evacuation of the patient.

Cruise ship medical costs are not cheap either - and they are conveniently charged to you shipboard account.

Lady Vidora

07-19-2006 11:44 AM

So, ballpark, what kind of charges do people see? I'll be on the Grand in Nov.

Dave

07-19-2006 12:46 PM

I've never used the medical facilities on a cruise, but have read that the basic office visit can run $50 to $80, and $80 to $110 if the doctor has to make a "house call" to your cabin. This does not include medication or other supplies. Some ships have fairly high-tech facilities with live-time satellite feeds to big time trauma centers such as Cedars-Sinai Hospital. The ship's doctor can consult with an ER doctor or specialist. People have gone this far and found out that they had a hefty bill to pay - $1500 or more.

User997

07-19-2006 03:10 PM

One thing that should be mentioned, is that the doctors office hours are very few. It's open 3-4 hours tops a day (typically in two hour intervals). If you don't get there within those times, then you can expect to pay a "house call" fee which is almost double what the regular visit is. I got the impression that that the office hours were designed so you'd have to pay the extra money for a room visit. Not convenient at all.

I personally had to go visit the doctors office on the Grand Princess a couple years ago and it was a nightmare. First off, the doctor's office was not identified on any of the ships maps. We went to the Pursers desk to ask, and the first lady couldn't tell us, and the second one gave us directions which didn't take us there. So we ended up practically on the bottom floor of the ship (where the crew lives) and still couldn't find it. We stopped THREE crew members in the hallway to ask for more directions, and not one of them could understand a word of english we were saying. I was suffering from a 103 deg fever, nausea, and a stomach virus and was very weak. It took us the better part of an hour to finally locate it. I commented to my wife if this had been an emergency or if someone had to get there in a hurry, they'd be dead before they found it.

Once there, the doctor and nurse was very cordial. Suspecting it might've been one of the cruise ship viruses, they had me fill out a several page questionairre, and they ended up giving me a penicillin shot. I asked him if I was going to get charged for the visit and shot because there was a flyer in our room saying you'd get free care if you had any of the symptoms listed. He said he wasn't for sure yet (about the charge) but if I did, it'd be about $400. That about ruined my honeymoon cruise.

Fortunately, there was no charge, but the whole experience left me with a real sour taste about getting medical treatment aboard a cruise ship.

I did notice while I was there that they had a quasi-operating table in there, with all the typical life saving medical equipment.

Hope some of this helps, if anything atleast it'll give you a headsup on what to expect in case you need it!

Dave

07-19-2006 03:14 PM

Hi User997,

Welcome to cruise-chat! And thanks for your first hand report on the medical support. It is one of the hardest things to find information about.

dellajj

07-19-2006 11:05 PM

About the sinus infection: Its probably the salt in the sea air that makes you feel better. When I feel one coming on, I shake some salt in my hand, add lukewarm water, sniff each nostril while closing one side, and walla!...feel normal within 2 hrs. Got this info from my local medical doctors booklet that is given to the public for free in British Columbia, Canada.
Something that help our medical costs in emergency and doctor visits be put to a minimum.

dellajj

07-19-2006 11:20 PM

Some Reassurance About Medical Facilitie's:

On a recent RCCL cruise we had drinks with a couple one evening, then bumped into them before formal dinner the next evening seeing her in a sling. I ask what happened. Her reply, "Oh, this mornig I fell in the shower and dislocated my shoulder, so the doctor took x-rays and saw I needed to be 'put under' for a tricky re-adjustment. I feel great. I'm thankful and happy to make the Formal Dinner!"
Needless to say, I was amazed. I have much faith in all ships medical capabilities now.

billybuzzy

07-20-2006 05:08 AM

My girlfriend developed an intestinal problem aboard the Enchantment of the Seas in Dec.05. Being medical people ourselves we were favorably impressed with the quality of the MD's, the staff and the facilities. Cost of physician, numerous tests and prescriptions was similar to that of shore physicians and facilities. I have no doubt that most emergencies could be handled aboard the Enchantment. The bill, while large was tolerable. I was told by the purser that in the event we had insufficient funds to cover costs that the cruiseline would take a promissory note. The insurance still has not yet settled with us.

Billy

fivepoints

07-20-2006 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dave56:
I've never used the medical facilities on a cruise, but have read that the basic office visit can run $50 to $80, and $80 to $110 if the doctor has to make a "house call" to your cabin. This does not include medication or other supplies. Some ships have fairly high-tech facilities with live-time satellite feeds to big time trauma centers such as Cedars-Sinai Hospital. The ship's doctor can consult with an ER doctor or specialist. People have gone this far and found out that they had a hefty bill to pay - $1500 or more.